I only sporadically watched it last night, but thought in the patches I saw, England played OK. Sure, it was Premiership vs Division 1 (apart from the God-like St Legend (who seems to be on his way out of Leicester for some stupid reason )) so the difference in class should have shown, but overall it was a good performance from people who I think will lead the next wave of failures, I mean, Golden generation. The Ox, Walcott played well, will be more settled when Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverely get fit and used to a system, we know Carrick is a decent player, Lampard still has 2 years of playing IMO (surrounded by fitter players at least) better choices up front, some good defenders who now need another season or 2 of Premiership action to really hone their skills, and a good goalkeeper. It was a worthy test against a team playing in their World Cup Final (yes, I'm being very patronising but they are shit, hence why Panama are rated a better team) but hats off to their goal, superb cross, fantastic header

I've stopped being negative about England because it's not worth it. I am going to be positive from now on, whilst remaining realistic (we'll qualify but get knocked out first round )

Really want to be positive and we have looked like we might be progressing toward something, but last night was a huge step back. 4-4-2 - Proven to be shite, year after year, tournament after tournament. We change to a more progressive formation for a few months and then go back. Sort it out FFS.

_____________________________

I'm your huckleberry...

All the world will be your enemy, Prince of a Thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you; digger, listener, runner, Prince with the swift warning. Be cunning, and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed.

I am going to be positive from now on, whilst remaining realistic (we'll qualify but get knocked out first round )

I don't think England will even qualify for the WC.

I think you normally look at friendlies to try something new. And England didn't. I understand that the 4-4-2 might not have been such a traditional 4-4-2, but it still does seem like we had found a nice shape and instead of getting more comfortable with that and having more practise we reverted. I'll understand that you might need a plan B, but we already know that is a crap one. There is little time and opportunity till the final 4 qualifiers and IMO its a bit crazy not to try to take advantage of what you have.

- Sturridge (despite some good stats for Liverpool recently) has quite a limited game. He rarely seems to look up and if England are going to lead with the big man up front, then Carroll still seems imo the best candidate

- Rooney is a liability in midfield. I can see what he is looking to do, i.e. release a player early, but it seems as likely to result in a mis-placed pass and pressure straight back on England

- Given the above two. IMO Rooney should be the lone front man, who is working those defenders for 90 minutes. That doesn't mean he needs to stand on their shoulder for the whole game, I think he can happily drift back to the hole where they don't know whether to follow him or not

- Lampard's run was the best England moment of the game for me. He's not getting any younger, but he timed his run well. I thought that too often England had too few bodies in the box when we had the ball. Lampard, Gerrard, Wilshere or whoever is playing in the middle of the park has to be encouraged to get forward and take a gamble. The two central defenders and Carrick are all going to sit back so there should be chance to do this.

- Glen Johnson looks lost. He seems to be back when he should be forward, forward when he should be back and in no-man's land the rest of the time. Jones is looking like a better option to me.

- Walcott and Ox could be a very frightening wide option in a 4-2-3-1, but a lot of work is needed there both individually and with the full backs

My twopenth, although anyone who's been around here a few years will have read it all before.

1 up front, and IMHO that should be Rooney. Stop all this build a side around him shit, he's the lead forward if his form dips enough drop him, and I don't mean into midfield.

2 deeper midfielders to give us the base to actually get after teams in the attacking part of the field. If Gerard or Lampard play they have to be in this role, not as one of the attacking 4.

Pace amongst the supporting midfielders/forwards. Rooney isn't blessed with it so it has to come from somewhere. We seem to have a glut of wide players come forwards who should be used in that role.

The player behind Rooney has to be creative and ability moving with the ball. No point having Frank or Gerrard in this role.

Work on free kicks FFS!

The two deeper lying midfielders need to be able to retain possession, with the other members of the team. Hollywood balls through from back to front should be a rarity.

Still not convinced on either of the centre halves, especially against decent opposition. Great header last night but fucking hell no challenge and Shane Long. Not good enough.

< Message edited by Flatulent_Bob -- 30/5/2013 12:54:28 PM >

_____________________________

I'm your huckleberry...

All the world will be your enemy, Prince of a Thousand enemies. And when they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you; digger, listener, runner, Prince with the swift warning. Be cunning, and full of tricks, and your people will never be destroyed.

Brazil showing just how good they are. This England team went a goal down to Ireland a few days ago, but pulled it around for a mighty draw against the green machine. Ireland have gone on to a 4-0 rout today. So, Brazil will be happy to be holding England right now.